orce to debouch on
the Jalapa road and cut off retreat. The reconnoissance, begun by
Lieutenant Beauregard, was continued by Captain Lee, engineers, and
a road made along difficult slopes and over chasms out of the
enemy's view; though reached by his fire when discovered, until,
arriving at the Mexican lines, further reconnoissance became
impossible without action. The desired point of debouchure, the
Jalapa road, was not therefore reached, though believed to be within
easy distance; and to gain that point it now became necessary to
carry the heights of Cerro Gordo. The disposition in my plan of
battle--General Orders No. 111, heretofore inclosed--were
accordingly made. Twiggs's division, re-enforced by Shields's
brigade of volunteers, was thrown into position on the 17th, and was
of necessity drawn into action in taking up the ground for its
bivouac, and the opposing height for our heavy battery. It will be
seen that many of our officers and men were killed or wounded in
this sharp combat, handsomely commenced by a company of the Seventh
Infantry under Brevet First-Lieutenant Gardner, who is highly
praised by all his commanders for signal services. Colonel Harvey,
coming up with the Rifle Regiment and First Artillery (also parts of
his brigade), brushed away the enemy and occupied the height, on
which, in the night, was placed a battery of one twenty-four pounder
and two twenty-four-pound howitzers, under the supervision of
Captain Lee, engineers, and Lieutenant Hagner, ordnance. These guns
opened next morning, and were served with effect by Captain Steptoe
and Lieutenant Brown, Third Artillery, Lieutenant Hagner (ordnance),
and Lieutenant Seymore, First Artillery. The same night, with
extreme toil and difficulty, under the superintendence of Lieutenant
Tower, engineer, and Lieutenant Laidley, ordnance, an eight-inch
howitzer was put in position across the river and opposite to the
enemy's right battery. A detachment of four companies under Major
Burnham, New York volunteers, performed this creditable service,
which enabled Lieutenant Ripley, Second Artillery, in charge of the
piece, to open a timely fire in that quarter.

"Early on the 18th the columns moved to the general attack, and our
success was speedy and decisive. Pillow's brigade assaulting the
right of the intrenchments, although compelled to retire, had the
effect I have heretofore st